NFL WEEK 13 PLAYS

** NEW ENGLAND  -7.5   at   HOUSTON

I have been watching and analyzing pro football for a long time, and I think I can tell when a team is packing it in.  I really think the Houston Texans have been doing just that lately, too.  They lost to Jacksonville at home and only scored 6 points.  They are the biggest mess in football, and are performing like the league's worst team.  I know they may have some fierce competitors on this team that will play hard in this game, but as a TEAM, they have gave up and are finished.  One of their so called leaders, WR Andre Johnson has pretty much came out and said he doesn't want to be here, and left the field before the game was over a couple of weeks ago.  What a piece of crap.  If anyone else I know just leaves work, because they're having a bad day, might get written up or fired. Well, good luck Texans, because now you are hosting a team on a real high right now, that has a ton of confidence, and is coming off a huge comeback win vs the league's top team. I think the Pats will be focused and ready to defeat these NFL derelicts on Sunday

PREDICTED SCORE : PATRIOTS  28  TEXANS  10

** ST. LOUIS  +8.5  at   SAN FRANCISCO

This Rams team is HOT, that's all I know.  They've outscored their opponents 80-29 in their last two, and those weren't against pushovers, either.  The Niners have had trouble scoring, also.  I know they are supposed to get Crabtree back this week and Rams RB Zach Stacy is probably going to be out, due to a concussion.  Well, I don't think Crabtree will make that big of an impact in his first game back from his injury.  He isn't built like a solid rock or anything.  I also think that Billy Cunningham, who took Stacy's place last Sunday after he got knocked out of the Bears game, will do fine, considering he rushed for 109 yards on 13 carries and the Rams exploded for 2 TD's in the fourth.  The Rams also know the Niners and usually give them tough game, so that's what I expect here.  They will be playing Frisco, whom is on a short week, so hell, St. Louis could win this one.

PREDICTED SCORE :  20-17  EITHER WAY

NFL PLAY OF THE WEEK - REVISITED

*** SAN FRANCISCO   -4.5   at    WASHINGTON

I just placed action on this play yesterday and it was -4.5, thanks to those who went with Washingtn.

The 49ers have really kind of struggled lately trying to find an offensive identity, but their nasty defense still continues to keep them in close games.  They have dropped the last two in some nail biters, and now find themselves fighting to stay in the wildcard race.  Well, I think Washington is the perfect team to play to get your offense on track, because their defense is terrible.  I also think this is a must win for Frisco and they will play with much urgency, plus they are starting to kind of point fingers in Washington.  They are in the direction of the coaches.  Hello!! These guys are NOT THAT GOOD.  Solid winner here folks.

And I have a new and revised prediction of the outcome.

NEW PREDICTED SCORE : 49ers  30   REDSKINS  14

NFL WEEK 12 PICKS

* MINNESOTA  +5   at   GREEN BAY

The Vikings get to go to Green Bay this Sunday and play the Packers without Aaron Rodgers.  They usually play Rodgers twice a year and actually already got whacked by his Packers 44-31 in Minnesota a few weeks ago.  My boy, Christian Ponder will be starting again, and I don't think he's discouraged from throwing 2 INT's last week against the league's top defense.  I think this guy is actually a decent young player and I think he will have a good game against this depleted Packers D.  I expect the Vikings, just like I would for any other division foe of Green Bay, to take full advantage of not playing Rodgers and beat them and their third string QB.

PREDICTED SCORE : VIKINGS 24  GREEN BAY 21

* ST. LOUIS  -1.5   vs   CHICAGO

The Rams have been playing inspired football for the last few weeks.  I'll go back to their 14-9 MNF loss to the best team in the NFC, Seattle.  Then a 28-21 barn burner loss to the Titans, and then they kind of just exploded out of nowhere and destroyed the Colts two weeks ago.  Rookie WR Tavon Austin woke up and broke out for 3 TD's in that last game, and I expect more where that came from.  I think the Rams are going to start playing like they should have been all year, which is a competitive team.

PREDICTED SCORE : RAMS 27  BEARS 20

** ARIZONA  -2   vs   INDIANAPOLIS

The Cards have been great at home this year only losing to the Seahawks just once.  The Colts have not been able to develop a running game, and that could be very tough to win with going against a team that slows down your passing game.  Carson Palmer has been talking like he likes this team and is very confident in his offense right now.  The Cardinals are 6-4 now and starting to get better on offense and have a great secondary.   I say it continues this weekend.

PREDICTED SCORE : CARDINALS  20   COLTS  17

NBA PICK

GOLDEN STATE    at    UTAH   OVER 196

Once again, these are mock picks that I guess I am kind of using as practice for this seasons investments.  I won't get started with some action until about Christmas/New Year's time.  Golden State's offense is so explosive, its funny.  The last two times these two teams played the total went under, and one of those was just two days ago.  I just really think it's do to be a bit higher scoring this time.  I mean c'mon.  It's the Warrior's.

NFL WEEK 11 PICKS

         THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

* INDIANAPOLIS   -3    at     TENNESSEE

Andrew Luck and the Colts have never lost two in a row.  Yep. That's right.  The guy is 7-0 following a loss in the NFL so far.  They usually play very well after losing.  For example, after their last loss at San Diego, which they didn't even score a TD in, the next week, which was a short one also, they played an excellent game vs Denver.  So even though the Colts looked terrible last Sunday vs St. Louis, I think with their hands on the steering wheel of this division, they come out strong tomorrow night, and win an important divisional game.  Tennessee may be 4-5, but it seems as if some of their players think it's over, judging by Delaney Walker's comments in the locker room after losing to Jacksonville.  He was saying "C'mon man."  "We lost to the Jaguars, at home."  "We aint talking bout first place no more."  That sounds like he thinks they don't have a chance at this division.  Well, with that attitude and their first string QB out for the season, they probably don't.

PREDICTED SCORE : COLTS 24  TITANS 16

* DETROIT  -2   at    PITTSBURGH

The Lions are on a role, and I think they are going to win their second straight road game.  That's somewhat of an accomplishment for this team.  Now, the Steelers have played decent at times this year, but they are not good, and it's because of their defense and pass protection.  They have had a depleted O line all season and I think they will have problems with Suh and Co. this weekend.

PREDICTED SCORE : LIONS 24  STEELERS 20

NBA PICKS

I'm calling these mock picks, because I'm not taking action, although I would do so.  I think the beginning of the NBA season is a time for learning and getting acclimated with all the teams.  I think right around after Christmas and the new year is a good time to start searching for winners, but there is definitely money to be made at this time.

OKLAHOMA CITY  -3   at    DETROIT

MINNESOTA  -4   vs   DALLAS

NICK SABAN STAYING PUT

I am now starting to hear more and more about Saban seeming to act like if there was one place he'd leave Alabama for, it's definitely Texas.  Please!  You may hear on sports talk shows that say things like if Saban's agent is speaking with Texas, then he is interested in possibly leaving, it's not like he hasn't skated before.  I completely understand them thinking this, but I really don't think Nick Saban is going anywhere.  His focus right now is on week 11 vs LSU, because he's doing his job, and his agent's focus is on finding more money, because that's what he gets paid to do.  I would think neither one tells the other how to do his job, either.  So Saban's agent is just doing his job trying to find a better offer for Nick.  These agents are like sharks in suits, and they swim around just looking for more flesh.  I think Saban is actually happy with the program he has, and doesn't really have a need to upgrade, because there's really not much higher to go.  He will, however, be getting more money from Bama, because that's what his agent is trying to get by talking with other interested candidates. He's just getting Alabama where he wants them and that's willing to give more and more.  Saban will stay with Alabama.  Mark my words.

NFL WEEK 10 PLAY

** SAN FRANCISCO  -6.5   vs    CAROLINA

In my opinion, I think the 49ers are one of the best teams in the league, and could be one of the last standing in January again.  I think their first half of the season has been pretty impressive, despite getting blown out twice.  I think it has been far more impressive than Carolina's.  Yes, the Panthers have been hot, but they also have beaten up on a bunch of crappy teams.  Their defense is impressive, but I believe that they are flawed on the offensive side of the ball.  Cam Newton is having a good year, but I also think he's more prone to giving the ball up than Colin Kaepernick.  The Panthers also only scored 6 points in Arizona this year.  The Niners have been really hot, as of late, and I think they have just looked better than Carolina, and I don't think it's that hard to see. I also like the fact that Aldon Smith will be back from rehab this week, and I just think that the Niners have more. I think that this game will be a tough match, but with coming off the bye and playing at home, I believe San Fran will be able to show that they are the better team in this match up.

PREDICTED SCORE : 49ERS 24   PANTHERS 14

COLLEGE FOOTBALL THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

OREGON  -10   at   STANFORD

I'm just going ahead and making a prediction here, as I am too timid to take action, but I do see a possibly good 7 1/2 point teaser bet for the Ducks and the over.  It would be something like -135 juice and it would be Oregon -2.5 parlayed with over 54.  I think this particular Duck team, may just be the best they've had yet.  They are unstoppable on offense, now that Mariota has a full year under his belt, and they can rush the passer and get turnovers.  It's kind of scary how good they've been this year.  I know Stanford is a really hard place to play, and their D is still good, although not as good as last year, but Oregon won there 2 years ago when the Cardinals had Luck.  They won that game 53-30, too.  This team could be the real deal due to the fact that Mariota is more complete, and just outstanding this year and they take away the ball a good bit, giving it back to their explosive offense.  Just remember they won a few games this year without D'Anthony Thomas, and didn't miss a beat.  I would take the Ducks here and to play in the National Championship, although Florida State looks sort of unstoppable themselves.  Too bad they won't have the new 4 team play-off system in place, because someone is going to get hosed this year.


PREDICTED SCORE : DUCKS 41   CARDINALS 27

NFL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PLAY

** MINNESOTA  +2   vs   WASHINGTON

Minny seems to me as if they are due for a win, and the Washington Redskins seem like just the team for them to be able to beat at home.  The Skins have not been good on the road, going 1-3 so far, with the only win being at Oakland, where everyone wins.  Minnesota has been pretty bad but they have been through different QB's and have to be pretty pissed about their last game where they got some bad calls by the refs, and barely lost to the Cowboys.  With their original leader, Christian Ponder back, I think they are just due to win this game.  I know, Ponder sucks, but so does this Redskin defense.

PREDICTED SCORE : VIKINGS 31  REDSKINS  28

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAY

** LSU  +12.5   at    ALABAMA

Now, here is a match up that I can safely say I know a little bit about.  I am 4-0 ATS in this match up since '07.  I stayed away in '09 and last year, but I also called the upset in '10 when LSU beat them at home as 7 point underdogs.  I think, once again, that the Vegas odds makers are giving LSU too many points for the third year in a row.  This game has been kept within 10 points since the Saban vs Miles series began in '07.  I really don't understand the line.  Do they not realize that LSU usually plays their best game of the regular season vs Bama?  I know this LSU defense is not that good, but you should expect them to play up for this game.  I think this game is going to be really close.  I could definitely see Zach Mettenberger making one stupid mistake that costs his team the game, as well.  Alabama has not had one scare all year, and I think this just may be the time.

PREDICTED SCORE : CRIMSON TIDE  35  TIGERS  27

NFL PLAY

* PHILADELPHIA. Pick em.at.  OAKLAND

 Nick Foles is starting at QB for the Eagles and I think he's their best option, plus Philly has been good on the road this year.(3-1). Does anyone know when the last time Oakland has won two in a row?  I know its probably been years.

NBA PLAY

Try to get em back with this one...

* NEW ORLEANS. -4.   At.  ORLANDO